'Monk' to return for seventh season

Monk is to enter a seventh season after it was reordered by USA Network.

The channel plans to air eight episodes from July then the rest in January. Tony Shalhoub, who has won several award for his Adrian Monk role, will return, along with the rest of the cast. Monk is a detective with an obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Jeff Wachtel, USA's head of original programming, said the show was still gaining viewers year-on-year. He added: "You might say we were 'obsessed' with making this deal. Let's face it: It's not easy to 'wash your hands' of a show like Monk. We have high hopes that this summer it will once again 'clean up' in the ratings."